Smith returns government pay earned during shutdown

Congressman Jason Smith (R-MO) on Monday returned his congressional salary earned during the 16 days of the government shutdown.

Smith has requested that the money returned to the U.S. Treasury be used to help pay down the national debt.

Smith made the formal request in a letter to the U.S. House of Representatives Office of Finance.

"Members of Congress are no better than anyone else. Families across the country faced furloughs because of the shutdown. In Missouri, folks don't get paid until the job is done. I returned my salary from the shutdown because Congress was not getting the job done," said Smith.

"On Oct. 1, I told my constituents that I would have my congressional salary withheld during the government shutdown and then donate those funds back to the Treasury. Today I am making good on that promise and I am requesting my congressional salary from the 16 days of the shutdown be used to pay down the national debt."

During the shutdown, Smith made a speech on the floor of the House urging his colleagues in the House and Senate to follow suit.